SIMON Cowell was snapped hugging Liam Payne’s parents goodbye after the One Direction singer’s funeral.

The music mogul – who masterminded the band’s success through The X Factor – arrived with partner Lauren Silverman outside the church.

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Simon Cowell hugging Liam Payne’s mum Karen and dad Geoff goodbyeCredit: Splash

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The star’s heartbroken parents Geoff and Karen followed behindCredit: Reuters

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Cowell arrives alongside Lauren SilvermanCredit: Getty

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The couple were seen in dark sunglasses and holding hands outside the churchCredit: Dan Charity/The Sun

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Pallbearers carry the coffin of the late singerCredit: AFP

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Liam Payne died after falling from a balcony in Argentina aged 31Credit: AFP
Cowell, 65, later embraced Karen and Geoff Payne following the service in the Home Counties this afternoon.

He previously posted a heartbreaking tribute to Liam following his death aged 31 last month.

He said: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.

“Liam I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.

“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.

“Liam I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”

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Fellow 1D stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson were also in attendance, as was Cheryl, mum to Liam’s son Bear.

It is the first time Zayn had reunited with his bandmates since leaving in March 2015, months before they officially split.

Dozens of locals and fans gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.

The private service was being attended by Liam’s family and closest friends, with celebrity pals also including James Cordon.

The Gavin & Stacey writer and actor accompanied Harry Styles.

JLS star Marvin Humes and his wife The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes, and BBC Radio 2 host Scott Mills, ex-footballer Robbie Keane and broadcaster Adrian Chiles were among the other famous faces.

The entrance of the church was decorated with candle lanterns and white roses that had been arranged in surrounding shrubbery.

A horse-drawn carriage arrived at St Mary’s Church carrying a dark blue coffin with silver handles, topped with white roses.

On top of the carriage, there was a red floral tribute which said “son” and a blue tribute which said “daddy”.

Silence fell upon the crowd as Liam’s father Geoff and his mother Karen got out of a vehicle and stood behind the reverend, next to the carriage.

The white horse-drawn carriage was then driven away and replaced by a black Jaguar hearse parked in front of the church.

A wake took place following the service.

It was snowing outside the 12th century church where the funeral is taking place.

A marquee was put up in preparation for guests’ arrival.

A floral tribute in the shape of bowling pins was also set up by the entrance.

Autumnal floral displays, made up of red and orange leaves, and white roses, were placed around the doorways of the church.

Florists were also seen unloading dozens of bunches of white flowers from a van shortly after 9am.

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Niall Horan was the last 1D member to see Liam aliveCredit: Getty

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Harry Styles arrives for the funeralCredit: SWNS

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Louis Tomlinson attends the funeralCredit: Getty

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Zayn Malik has rejoined his former bandmates for the first time in nearly a decadeCredit: Reuters
A source said prior to the service: “Liam’s funeral is taking place in the Home Counties.

“His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves.

“Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy.

“It is going to be an incredibly difficult day.”

Cheryl, 41, shares son Bear, seven, with Liam and spoke of the grief she feels for her son following his dad’s death.

She was a judge on X Factor when Wolverhampton-born Liam found fame as a teenager – and the couple later began dating in 2016.

They welcomed Bear in 2017 and went their separate ways the following year.

One Direction fans pay tribute

By EMILY-JANE HEAP

ONE Direction fan Alice Chapman came down to pay her respects to Liam Payne ahead of his funeral today.

The full-time mum, 40, who lives in the area where the funeral is being held, said she wanted to show the late singer’s family how “loved” he was.

She told The Sun: “It was such a shock to hear Liam had died. I lost a friend in similar circumstances recently, so it touched my heart.

“Liam was just a normal boy from Wolverhampton who we all watched on the TV on a Saturday night with a Chinese.”

The former events planner added: “It’s a mark of respect to line the street for when his mum and dad drive through.

“I couldn’t imagine anything worse than an empty street if it was my son. We want to show them that people care.

“People don’t appreciate how respected and loved someone was until they are gone.”

Local singer Alice Henry, 47, said she felt compelled to pay tribute to Liam as she is a parishioner at the church where his funeral is being held.

She added: “It’s such a tragic situation. I go to the church and know the vicar who is conducting the service well, so I wanted to come down and pay my respects.”

In a short statement following his death, Liam’s family said: “We are heartbroken.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

Liam passed away on October 16 after falling from his third floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He had been in the country to renew his US visa having relocated to Florida with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy.

During his trip he attended Niall Horan’s sell out concert at the Movistar Arena.

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A floral tribute spelling ‘son’ above Liam’s coffinCredit: SWNS

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Floral tributes to the starCredit: PA
After news broke of his son’s passing, Liam’s brave father Geoff travelled out to South America to help authorities bring his son back to the UK.

Liam shot to international fame in 2010 when he auditioned for Cowell’s The X Factor as a solo artist.

He was then put into One Direction by the judges.

Despite only coming third on the show, One Direction went on to become the biggest British group since The Beatles.

Throughout their five years together, they sold 70million records and landed four UK No1 singles and four UK No1 albums.

 

Speaking in 2022, Liam said he hoped to be remembered simply as being a “nice guy” rather than his musical accolades.

Liam said: “Honestly, just being a nice guy. I’d rather be known for being a nice guy than anything else.”